Applicator

ABSTRACT

An applicator including a main body having at least one compartment in which is stored at least one product, the product being liquid or semi-liquid or solid or gaseous, at least one applicator portion configured to deliver the at least one product to an object, and at least one activation mechanism configured to release the at least one product from the at least one compartment for delivery by the at least one applicator.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 63/272,716, filed Oct. 28, 2021, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to systems and methods for application of liquid,semi-liquid, solid and/or gaseous products to an object, and inparticular is directed to an applicator that operates to deliver suchproducts for medical and/or cosmetic purposes, for example.

BACKGROUND

Conventional applicators, such as those used for application ofcosmetics, do not have a compact and unitary structure that is able toboth store a liquid product and deliver the liquid product to an object.For example, many conventional applicators have a container portion andan applicator portion, and in use the two portions must be separated sothat the applicator portion can be inserted into the container portionto draw in the liquid product and then used to apply the liquid product.This construction also makes it difficult to control the amount ofliquid product being delivered to the applicator portion since there isno mechanism to control the delivery. This often results in too muchproduct being drawn into the applicator portion for a particular use,resulting in waste of the product over time.

Further, since conventional applicators are not able to store a liquidproduct, liquid products that are intended to be applied together as amixture but need to be kept separate until application cannot be appliedusing a single applicator. Instead, two separate applicators often needto be used to deliver corresponding liquid products, which then wouldneed to be mixed separate from the applicators, either on the targetobject or in a separate container, for example.

There is a need for improved systems and methods for application ofproducts.

SUMMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An applicator according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprises: a main body comprising at least one compartment inwhich is stored at least one product, the product being liquid,semi-liquid, solid and/or gaseous; at least one applicator portionconfigured to deliver the at least one product to an object; and atleast one activation mechanism configured to release the at least oneproduct from the at least one compartment for delivery by the at leastone applicator.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one compartment comprises atleast two compartments.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one product comprises at leasttwo products, and each one of the at least two products is stored in acorresponding one of the at least two compartments.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one activation mechanismcomprises at least two activation mechanisms, and each one of the atleast two activation mechanisms is configured to release a correspondingone of the at least two products from a corresponding one of the atleast two compartments.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one applicator portion comprisesat least two applicator portions, and each one of the at least twoapplicator portions is configured to deliver a corresponding one of theat least two products to the object.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least two applicator portions differfrom one another in construction.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least two applicator portions have thesame construction.

In an exemplary embodiment the applicator further comprises anadditional activation mechanism configured to mix the at least twoliquid or semi-liquid products.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one compartment comprises aseal.

In an exemplary embodiment actuation of the at least one activationmechanism results in breakage of the seal.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one activation mechanismcomprises a button, a lever, a switch, or a rotating element.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one applicator portion comprisesa brush, a sponge, a valve, or a squeeze applicator.

In an exemplary embodiment the applicator further comprises a batterythat powers a pressure device configured to move the at least oneproduct from the at least one container to the at least one applicatorportion.

In an exemplary embodiment the pressure device comprises a pump.

In an exemplary embodiment the pump is an electric pump.

In an exemplary embodiment the pump is a manually operated pump.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one applicator portion is apressurized dispenser.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one applicator portion isconfigured to deliver the at least one product in aerosol form.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one applicator portion isconfigured to deliver the at least one product in a specific direction.

In an exemplary embodiment the applicator is disposable.

In an exemplary embodiment the applicator is recyclable and/or reusable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described withreferences to the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an applicator according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of an applicator according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing operation of anapplicator according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing operation of anapplicator according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an applicator, generally designated byreference number 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The applicator 1 has an elongated main body 10, withapplicator portions 12, 14 disposed at each end of the main body 10.Separate activation mechanisms 16, 20 may be provided on the main body10 corresponding to each of the applicator portions 12, 14. In exemplaryembodiments, the activation mechanisms 16, 20 may be, for example,buttons, levers, switches or rotating elements, to name a few. Asexplained further below, actuation of the activation mechanisms 16, 20results in delivery of a liquid or semi-liquid product to the applicatorportions 12, 14. In exemplary embodiments, activation of the applicator1 may be done manually (e.g., by a user squeezing the activator 1) orautomatically (e.g., by a user pressing a button or some otheractivating mechanism).

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate operation of the activation mechanisms 16, 20according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Two (ormore) different types of liquids or semi-liquids 30, 40 (or potentiallypowders, gases and/or other solid substances inclusive of solids) may bestored within corresponding compartments within the main body 10. Thecompartments may be separated by a barrier 50, and each compartment maybe bound by a corresponding seal 32, 42. In this example, the activationmechanisms 16, 20 are buttons disposed on the sides of the applicator 1and operatively connected to corresponding camming elements 17, 21,which in turn are in sliding contact with corresponding pins or rods 19,23. The buttons 16, 20 may be biased outwards relative to the main body10 by, for example, springs. The pins or rods 19, 23 (or otheractivating elements) are capable of movement in the Y-direction(referring to the reference frame in the lower right-hand corner of thedrawing sheet). For example, the pins or rods 19, 23 may be slidablydisposed within the applicator portions 12, 14, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3B, depression of the button 16 in the X-directionresults in movement of the camming element 17 also in the X-direction,which in turn results in movement of the pin or rod 19 in theY-direction into engagement with the seal 32. The end portion of the pinor rod 19 that engages with the seal 32 preferably terminates in asharpened point so that contact of the pin or rod 19 with the seal 32results in puncturing of the seal 32, which in turn allows the firstliquid or semi-liquid 30 to freely move through the seal 32 and intocontact with the applicator portion 12 where the first liquid orsemi-liquid 30 may be delivered to an object. In the same way, thesecond liquid or semi-liquid 40 may be delivered through the seal 42 tothe opposite applicator portion 14 through operation of the button 18,camming element 21 and pin or rod 23.

In exemplary embodiments, the activation mechanisms 16, 20 may beconfigured to allow a gradual, immediate, and/or selective percentmixing of the two or more substances held within the applicator.

In exemplary embodiments, the activations mechanisms 16, 20 may beconfigured to puncture the two or more compartments, while one or moreother activation mechanisms may be configured to regulate flow volume,mix percentages, flow direction, flow speed, and flow width.

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator portions 12, 14 may have thesame or differing construction. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, theapplicator portion 12 may include a brush, while the applicator portion14 may include a sponge. This allows for two different types of liquidor semi-liquid products to be applied using the same applicator 1,either at the same time or at different times. In general, theapplicator portions 12, 14 may include any type of applicator mechanism,such as, for example, a brush, a sponge, a one-way valve, and a squeezeapplicator, to name a few.

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator portions 12, 14 may includereservoirs to temporarily hold and transport product from thecompartments of the main body 10 to the applicator mechanisms.

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator portions 12, 14 may be fixed orinterchangeable with other types of applicator portions, and/or varioustypes of applicator mechanisms may be located along the body of theapplicator.

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator portions 12, 14 may includevarious types of applicator mechanisms each configured to deliverdifferent types of substances from the various compartments within theapplicator. In this regard, in exemplary embodiments, each compartmentmay have an individual or a shared activation mechanism and/orapplicator portion.

FIGS. 2A shows an applicator, generally designated by reference number100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Asin the previously described embodiment, the applicator 100 includes amain body 110, an applicator portion 112 and an activation mechanism116. The applicator 100 in this embodiment has only one applicatorportion 112 so as to be more compact in size.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate operation of the activation mechanisms 116according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A liquidor semi-liquid 130 may be stored within a compartment within the mainbody 110, with the compartment bound by a seal 132. In this example, theactivation mechanism 116 is a button disposed at a proximal end of theapplicator 100. The button 116 is operatively connected to a pin or rod119. The pin or rod 119 extends in the Y-direction through thecompartment that holds the liquid 130. The button 116 may be biasedoutwards relative to the main body 110 by, for example, a spring. Thepin or rod 119 is capable of movement in the Y-direction (referring tothe reference frame in the lower right-hand corner of the drawingsheet).

As shown in FIG. 4B, depression of the button 116 in the Y-directionresults in movement of the pin or rod 119 in the Y-direction intoengagement with the seal 132. The end portion of the pin or rod 119 thatengages with the seal 132 preferably terminates in a sharpened point sothat contact of the pin or rod 119 with the seal 132 results inpuncturing of the seal 132, which in turn allows the liquid orsemi-liquid 130 to freely move through the seal 132 and into contactwith the applicator portion 112 where the liquid or semi-liquid 130 maybe delivered to an object.

In exemplary embodiments, the pin or rod may have a screw conveyordesign or other type of design to propel the contents out of thecompartment of the main body.

In exemplary embodiments, the body of the applicator may be made of aflexible material (e.g., plastic) to allow for a user to squeeze theapplicator to deliver its contents

FIG. 2B shows the same applicator 100 as that shown in FIG. 2A, exceptthat the applicator portion 112 has been modified to be a brush. Ingeneral, the applicator portion 112 may include any type of applicatormechanism, such as, for example, a brush, a sponge, a one-way valve, anda squeeze applicator, to name a few. The applicator portion 112 mayinclude a reservoir to temporarily hold and transport product from thecompartment of the main body 110 to the applicator mechanism.

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator may contain a solution, suchas, for example, a medication cream or hair coloring. The solution maybe a semi-liquid (e.g., a liquid containing solid particles), viscousliquid or a free-flowing liquid.

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator may contain solid, powderand/or gaseous substances.

In exemplary embodiments, a user may activate the applicator by, forexample, pushing on a button, twisting/pressing on the bottom of theapplicator, or by activating some other type of mechanism.

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator may be electrically activated.

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator may be activated by release ofcompressed gas.

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator may be activated by a springmechanism.

In exemplary embodiments, activation of the applicator results inbreakage of a seal that releases the product. Some products, such as,for example, a hair coloring mixture, may be activated by the mixing oftwo or more components that are held in separate compartments within theapplicator. This may be done by, for example, providing an activationmechanism that is actuated to break a barrier between the twocompartments, resulting in mixture of the two components. A secondactivation mechanism may then be actuated to break a seal that allowsthe mixture to flow to the applicator portion. Alternatively, punctureof the barrier and seal may be performed using a single activationmechanism.

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator may include a battery thatoperates a pressure device to aid in movement of the liquid, solid orgaseous substance from its compartment to the applicator portion. Thepressure device may be, for example, a pump (potentially allowing fordelivery of a spray, for example).

In exemplary embodiments, because the applicator is compact in size andthus can be carried in a pocket, purse or briefcase, for example, theapplicator may be used to administer a liquid product (e.g., coloringfor a small area of hair or a medication cream or a tooth whiteningsubstance) at any place or time (such as just prior to a meeting).

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator may be disposable.

In exemplary embodiments, the applicator may be used by multiplespecialties where a controlled release of a substance or medication isdesired, particularly when such application is confined to a very smallspace (such as ENT, dermatology, dental, pediatrics, emergency medicine,radiation medicine, ob/gyn, radiology).

Now that embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon canbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, theexemplary embodiments of the present invention, as set forth above, areintended to be illustrative, not limiting. The spirit and scope of thepresent invention is to be construed broadly.

We claim:
 1. An applicator comprising: a main body comprising at leastone compartment in which is stored at least one product, the productbeing liquid or semi-liquid or solid or gaseous; at least one applicatorportion configured to deliver the at least one product to an object; andat least one activation mechanism configured to release the at least oneproduct from the at least one compartment for delivery by the at leastone applicator.
 2. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the at least onecompartment comprises at least two compartments.
 3. The applicator ofclaim 2, wherein the at least one product comprises at least twoproducts, and each one of the at least two products is stored in acorresponding one of the at least two compartments.
 4. The applicator ofclaim 3, wherein the at least one activation mechanism comprises atleast two activation mechanisms, and each one of the at least twoactivation mechanisms is configured to release a corresponding one ofthe at least two products from a corresponding one of the at least twocompartments.
 5. The applicator of claim 4, wherein the at least oneapplicator portion comprises at least two applicator portions, and eachone of the at least two applicator portions is configured to deliver acorresponding one of the at least two products to the object.
 6. Theapplicator of claim 5, wherein the at least two applicator portionsdiffer from one another in construction.
 7. The applicator of claim 5,wherein the at least two applicator portions have the same construction.8. The applicator of claim 3, further comprising an additionalactivation mechanism configured to mix the at least two products.
 9. Theapplicator of claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment comprises aseal.
 10. The applicator of claim 9, wherein actuation of the at leastone activation mechanism results in breakage of the seal.
 11. Theapplicator of claim 1, wherein the at least one activation mechanismcomprises a button, a lever, a switch, or a rotating element.
 12. Theapplicator of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator portioncomprises a brush, a sponge, a valve, or a squeeze applicator.
 13. Theapplicator of claim 1, further comprising a battery that powers apressure device configured to move the at least one product from the atleast one container to the at least one applicator portion.
 14. Theapplicator of claim 13, wherein the pressure device comprises a pump.15. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator is disposable.